We spent two days in sunny California with the all-new 2023 Chevy Colorado

Now in its third generation, we had a chance to put the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado through its paces on a groomed, off-road course in the rugged Julian mountains. We also had a chance to subject it to normal daily life driving it on around 150 miles of city streets, interstate highways, and lots of switchbacks.

During our time with the Colorado, we had a chance to play with all the buttons, switches and dials located within arm’s reach. We also had a chance to speak with engineers and designers to get more details on this latest version of the Chevy Colorado. We wanted to know everything there was about its off-road chops and capabilities. And to find out if it had the potential to be an overlander’s truck of choice. Will it? Let’s take a look.

First off, the new Colorado has lost some weight. Colorado’s new design is sleeker and not so bloated, allowing it to be more maneuverable and agile off and on the dirt. Specifically, these are characteristics of its competition, which includes the Jeep Gladiator, Toyota Tacoma, and Ford Ranger. Up to this point, these other vehicles have had their way with the Colorado…until now.

The interior is quite comfy. Come, make yourself at home. Everything you need is within reach. The second row can be tight for taller passengers. It also offers a storage compartment under the rear bench seat. There’s also plenty of technology, inside. The Chevrolet Colorado is standard with an eight-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.3-inch infotainment system with Google integration.

A vehicle performance display is available and is like the Jeep’s off-road app where you can find real-time info such as vehicle pitch, roll, and altitude positions on-the-fly.

Drive modes can change the driving dynamics of the Colorado.
Depending on your needs, and the terrain, you can adjust for the following drive conditions:

• Normal: A balanced mode for everyday on- and off-road driving.
• Tow/Haul: Transmission shift points, throttle response, and additional calibrations are optimized for trailering and hauling.
• Off-Road: Specific tractive and dynamic performance features are designed for general off-pavement driving usage.
• Terrain: Designed for low-speed rock crawling, with specific throttle response, brake performance, and other calibrations, with three settings.
• Baja (ZR-2 ONLY): Developed for high-speed desert running, with specific throttle control, transmission shifting, and other body/drivetrain calibrations. We didn’t get the chance to sample it but will tell you all about it when we do.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado shines with its new 2.7 liter four-cylinder engine that it shares with the Chevy Silverado. Available in three different versions, depending on your trim level, each will be different. The entry level will produce 237 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque.
The mid-level engine will make 310 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. It’s standard on the Trail Boss and ZR1. Finally, the top-shelf ZR2 comes with a high-output turbocharged 2.7 liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque.

All engines are matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. With the entry level engine, the Colorado can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Order the Turbo Plus or Turbo High Output motor if you need to tow up to 7,700 pounds.

Pickup Trucks: They’re not just for work anymore. These days, they are much more. They are Lifestyle vehicles that can take you on an unforgettable journey when suitably equipped. Overlanders will happily discover that Chevrolet has a significant on- and off-road accessories catalog available for any Colorado trim level to help you built your dream truck. If you need extra ground clearance, order the Trail Boss which rides two inches higher than the standard Colorado.

The all-new Chevy Colorado Trail Boss is a competent lifestyle off-road and overlanding truck. It arrives at Chevrolet Dealerships at the end of the month.

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